Floyd Salas, Writer, Teacher and Mentor, Turns 90!

Photo Credit: Geoff Leobbert.
With Claire and Floyd after their reading at the Bird and Beckett Bookstore in the Glen Park area of San Francisco on Sunday, April 13, 2014

Last month my long-time writer friend and mentor, Floyd Salas, celebrated his 90th birthday. And he's still alive and well in Berkeley, California! Floyd and Claire have become two of my dearest friends whom I miss so much since this crazy pandemic began. They're more like family to me now than friends. I've attended countless parties, gatherings, writing events, even music-related events. You name it. I remember attending a play in Berkeley which Claire wrote and one year, September 28th was proclaimed "Floyd Salas Day" in Berkeley. His influence in the literary world as a writer and a teacher has been monumental. I attended a reading event in San Francisco at the iconic Beat Museum in North Beach where Floyd Salas read just a couple of years ago. I sang "When I'm 84" to him at his 84th birthday, and at his 85th, Floyd proclaimed, "I'm 85 and still alive!" I regret missing his birthday gathering last year because I couldn't get to California soon enough, and then the pandemic hit. I was, however, at his previous 88th birthday bash in Berkeley.

I met Floyd Salas in 1998 when I took a Creative Writing class at Foothill College. Back then, you could take the same class on three different levels, then continue taking it. And Floyd taught both short story and fiction writing. A bunch of us took his classes for several years in one form or another. We always figured out how to be there because Floyd, though he was prone to yell at people in class like, "Don't forget about the five-point plot plan!" or "You need more conflict! Make them suffer!" My young daughter Megan used to come to class with me and hang out with their dog Rocky while class was going on. She was around seven years old then, maybe younger. Floyd would put her to work passing out papers to people in the class.

After each class, a group of us would get together at a pizza place called The Boardwalk not far from the college. That's where Floyd would ask us, "What's the worst thing you've ever done?" This reminded me of another thing he'd say in class, "We want to read what you don't want to write about!" He had a way of teaching so that everyone got it. And even if you took his class over and over again, you'd hear some of the same points, but always from a different angle, and always new stories to go along with some of the familiar ones. Floyd Salas is one of a kind, an unsung genius. He's published several books, including "Tattoo the Wicked Cross," "Buffalo Nickel," "What Now My Love" and several others, and he writes both fiction and poetry. He even worked on a TV show script with a group for one year.

Floyd's book reading of "Love Bites, Poetry of Celebration of Dogs and Cats," is the reason I adopted my cat Guinness in December 2006. Almost fifteen years later, Guinness the Cat is still with me. His love for animals shined through in everything he wrote. He'd include his beloved pets in his writings so that their spirits never died. Claire did the same in her writing.

There's so much more that I could say about Floyd Salas. Like how my whole family knew Floyd, especially Megan, who felt like they were "Aunt and Uncle" to her, and still does to this day. Quite a few of our "end of entire class parties" were held at various places where I lived -- a duplex in Sunnyvale, an apartment in Mountain View. Floyd and Claire aren't just friends of mine. They're family. And I love both of them dearly. I can hardly wait to visit them again in Berkeley.

I found a previous blog entry I wrote about them in 2014, which includes a reading in San Francisco along with an interview I did with Floyd Salas in 2014 as well, complete with photographs. I have more recent photos, of course, and I am sure there are other blog entries about them from over the years. Today, I give you this which includes a photo of our dear, long-time friend Geoffrey Luebbert who passed away in 2020 and attended all the gatherings and parties. We also lost Floyd's younger sister Annabelle is 2020 who I also knew from all the gatherings and parties over the years. RIP Geoffrey and Annabelle.

(Photo Credit: Mary Lane Cryns) Floyd and Claire with Geoff

(Photo Credit:  Mary Lane Cryns) Before Floyd reads his compelling poem (from the point of view of a killer), he says, "Find the plots in  your own life!" It's exactly what he always told us...even after all these years and after all the time that goes by, Floyd never ceases to amaze me. As Claire says, "He's not boring!" HA!

(Photo Credit:  Mary Lane Cryns) Claire read an incredible prose piece called The Blue Dress...

After the readings, we walked around the corner with Geoff and found a lovely place to eat right next to a bar... So I got to hang out with Floyd, Claire and Geoff again. We all got to celebrate Floyd's 83rd birthday together this year at the end of January as well...and Floyd doesn't mind if people know. In fact, he's proud of how old he is and all the things he's experienced in his life, and he's still going strong too! 

A while back, I actually interviewed Floyd for an interview essay I had to write. In honor of Floyd and how much he means to so many of us, here it is again...Thanks Floyd and Claire, for reminding me why it's so important for me to keep writing, no matter what... 

I traveled to Berkeley to Floyd Salas’ home in Berkeley on Sunday, February 19^th, stopping at the Oakland Public Library for a California Writer’s Club meeting with the Berkeley Branch. It was good to be surrounded by like-minded writers and the author who spoke, Fred Setterberg, was thrilled to sign a copy of his latest book, “Lunch Box Paradise” to Floyd Salas and his lovely wife Claire Ortalda – he thought it was an honor because he’d heard Floyd Salas speak and do readings at various locations.

Floyd Salas went out of his way to make time to speak with me. I’ve known him for many years because he taught creative writing classes at Foothill College part-time and I’d always take his classes when they were available. I even went into the “special studies” segment as did many other students who were enthralled by Floyd’s unique ability to draw us all in as writers. He valued our stories, each and everyone, and told us how we could improve them. He shared his own stories and from the time I began his classes, I actually felt like a writer. Floyd Salas is the inspiration I needed to go for my master’s degree in English at Notre Dame de Namur in Belmont.

I became friends with Floyd and his lovely companion, now wife Claire Ortalda, who is a wonderful writer and teacher in her own right. I’d been to their house quite a few times, but this would be my very first time to visit when Claire was not at home – just Floyd. He welcomed me into his home. Loud classical music blared from his bedroom. Floyd has trouble hearing and wears hearing aids, but he still runs two miles a day and writes every day – even at the age of 81! He’s published several books over the years – poetry and fiction books and even a memoir, and he’s even working on a new novel right now called Boogie Nights. His first book, Tattoo the Wicked Cross, was published back in 1967. Floyd has taught at UC Berkeley, Foothill College and at many writers’ conferences over the years, and he used earnings from his book to buy his house in Berkeley back in the 1970’s – a house in the back with two flats and a studio apartment in front. Now one of the front flats is used as Claire’s office and for parties and get-togethers, and Floyd’s 60-year-old son Greg lives in the studio apartment.

  

(Photo Credit: Mary Lane Cryns) Floyd Salas’ living room, filled with sculptures, colorful pictures, portraits, and memories. The portrait is of Floyd himself when he was young and family photos adorn the table.

One of the first things Floyd said to me when I arrived, after asking if I wanted something to drink, wine or something cold, was what he taught us the first time I took his class:

If you believe in ideals, then live the ideals (Floyd Salas quote). It was something I always took to heart and never forgot, always remembering that everything around us is a series of adventures to be written down.

(Photo Credit: Claire Ortalda) Claire took this photo of Floyd Salas (age 81) and me when she
returned home after we’d hung out for a couple of hours and talked

Floyd lives the life of a successful writer – he was a young, beginning writer in his early 20’s. He decided he wanted to be a writer at the age of 19 when he found his older brother Eddy dead at the pharmacy where he worked. Floyd looked up to Eddy who was 11 years older than him, even worked for him. He suffered grief, just as he had at the age of 11 when his mother died.

Floyd felt a driven need to express emotions – emotions that were tender and wounded by suffering and tragedy.

He began writing poetry to address the grief and loss he felt – and to keep the spirits of the people he lost alive. That’s when he decided he would LIVE the life of a writer despite all obstacles.

(Photo Credit: Mary Lane Cryns) Just a week ago, Floyd Salas was on the front page of the Santa Cruz Sentinel. He attended and read from his works at a poetry festival

(Photo Credit: Mary Lane Cryns) Portrait of Eddy who either committed suicide or was murdered
at the age of 30, Floyd Salas’ older brother – in 1950

Floyd encountered many obstacles. At the age of 18, he got his childhood sweetheart Velva pregnant and married her – he had to work to support her and the baby, and he went to college as well. He also got in a bit of trouble with the law and had a probation officer. He began in Art College as he said he wasn’t sure if he was “smart” enough for college as an English/writing major which is what he really wanted to do. He found out through an IQ test administered by the Probation Department that he was smart and that he could succeed in college with nothing less than A’s.

Floyd also grew up in a household full of books – which also his desire to become a writer. I fondly remember how my house was also filled with books, stories, magic, and possibilities. To this day, I still feel a slight pang when I think of the stories that would pop into my head and how I’d visit my books, my old friends, many of which I lug around me to this day despite the e-reader’s recent popularity.

So I fully understood where Floyd was coming from.

Floyd’s father was an avid reader of history and current events. He also read crime magazines. There was no TV back then, so reading was entertainment. His older sister Dorothy read novels, and Floyd said he read those too. His older brother Eddy was highly educated and a big reader – so Floyd grew up surrounded by books and stories.

He also had a huge stack of comic books – 12 feet high on top of books and read biographies of great men. He particularly remembers a book called “Yankee Basha” which takes place in the 18^th century and is the story of a beautiful girlfriend kidnapped by Moorish pirates.

 

(Photo Credit: Mary Lane Cryns

Photos of Floyd's house and basement

Floyd and I talked about the writing life, about his stories and the stories that I’ve been working on, some of which he has read. 

Visiting with Floyd Salas rekindled a light that has been buried deep down inside me – I’ve always known it was there.

I am a writer. And there is nothing else.

Thank you Floyd Salas for keeping the dream alive.

Floyd and I at one of their awesome parties in Berkeley. I don't remember which year this was or who took this photo (It's on my phone). I just know I played ukulele at this party and we had loads of fun.

How I Became a Lifelong Beatles Fan

Photo Credit: EXPRESS NEWSPAPERS/GETTY IMAGES

The Beginning — How I Became a Beatles Fan

On February 9, 1964, the Beatles arrived, zooming right into our living room from the big-screen black and white TV. I can still picture the den where we watched the big-screen black and white TV, the hardwood floors and the white shag rug, the “basket” chair and rocking chair where the “grown-ups,” my Mom and Dad sat, the paneled walls and built-in wooden cabinets from the early 1900s. I was not quite seven years old when my younger brother, sister, and I sat cross-legged on the shag rug wearing our pajamas. We lived in a flat in an old building on Second Avenue in San Francisco. Mom paced back and forth from the kitchen to the den and back again puffing on a cigarette. She said she was too excited to sit down. I remember how beautiful my mom was then, with long flowing hair, just over 30 years old. I could hear her flip flops as she paced back and forth.

We were about to watch the Ed Sullivan Show as we did every Sunday night after the Wonderful World of Disney. I liked the Ed Sullivan Show because there were people who balanced dishes on sticks, and someone who did magic tricks, and lots of fun songs to sing along with too.

“Music as you know it will never be the same!” Mom proclaimed waving her cigarette around.

And at the beginning of the show, Ed Sullivan announced that the Beatles would be playing some songs. Four young guys with what looked like “bowl” haircuts waving their heads and singing, “All My Loving.”

“Ahhh, it’s them! The Beatles!” Mom shouted. She began to sing and clap, and she screamed a little too.

I was instantly mesmerized by them. Their music was so happy and catchy. I started to clap along with Mom while Dad and my brother and sister stared at us as if we’d gone crazy.

At the end of it all, Mom and I held each other and sang/yelled, “She loves you yeah, yeah, yeah!” over and over again until our voices were hoarse.

We were hooked. Mom took me to the record store to buy the Beatles album and the singles which were already out, like “I Want To Hold Your Hand.” We screamed and sang along whenever we heard a Beatles song on the radio. We sang along to the records. By the time I was seven, I knew several Beatles songs by heart and I carried an AM transistor radio with me everywhere and drove my friends and siblings crazy.

It was the night I finally had something in common with my Mother, who was brilliant — something that just the two of us shared. The Beatles songs were special. I became a lifelong Beatles fan, and I still am to this day. When I was ten, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club band came out, and when I saw the album cover, I told mom that the Beatles were growing and changing just as I was.

My kids and my grandkids all know who the Beatles are and they know the Beatles songs. The Beatles have transcended four generations in my family already, and who knows how many more generations. Their pictures are sometimes intermixed with my family pictures, and every time I hear a Beatles song, I think of my mom and of all the good times we shared. She’s been gone for 24 years now. She passed after John and before George. But her memory remains alive through the stories I write about her and through the music we shared. The Beatles music. My kids buy me Beatles pictures and such for Christmas, birthdays, mother’s day, etc. I guess I’m easy to shop for. My son’s girlfriend painted originals of each of the Beatles for my 50th birthday.

This is kind of my room (aka living room) where I live with my boyfriend Savoy in Eugene, Oregon now. There are more Beatles pictures on the other side. I don’t feel at home until some of my Beatles pictures are up. And trust me, I have many more in storage. He actually took down some of his pictures so I could put up mine. Now that’s a cool guy! (Photo Credit: Mary Lane Cryns)

Ironically, as I write this, my older daughter messaged me and said it was Beatles week in a music class she’s taking online, and that she had to pick two songs and write about them. Of course, I told her this was a historic day and why, and how I remembered that special night. I gave her more information than she probably needed. But she asked.

50th Anniversary Ukulele Jam at Bronco Billy’s Pizza Parlor in Fremont, CA on February 8, 2014.

Photo Credit: John L. Chen. Diane and I had lots of help from our friends to lead the amazing 50th Anniversary of the Beatles’ Arrival on that iconic Ed Sullivan Show. (left to right: June, George, Steve, me, Dave and Diane).

On Saturday, February 8, 2014, Diane and I led a 50th Anniversary of the Beatles’ Arrival in the United States ukulele jam at Bronco Billy’s Pizza Parlor. We started leading jams there around 2012, and it still lives on today as a “virtual zoom” ukulele jam because of the pandemic. But in spite of any changes, including my move to Oregon in 2016, Bronco Billy’s Fremont Ukulele Jam will always survive.

(Photo Credit: Me) Flyers for our FABULOUS Beatles ukulele jam

Words cannot even explain this fabulous day This was not just any jam, but a very special one for the Beatles 50th anniversary. I couldn’t believe it when I looked out at all the ukulele players, enthusiasts, and singers. We had an entire room to ourselves and had to bring in more chairs. We must’ve had over 100 people, if not more because some people spilled into the next room. Everyone was singing Beatles songs and having fun. A few didn’t even have ukuleles. They were there to sing. We played and sang one song after another and people wanted more. I was so touched and amazed that I almost cried as I described each song, we did from that first Ed Sullivan show… in order, as well as many other Beatles songs.

The five Beatles songs played on the February 9, 1964 Ed Sullivan Show:

All My Loving
’Til There Was You
She Loves You
I Saw Her Standing There
I Want to Hold your Hand.

(Photo Credit: Me) Steve Lussie playing both ukulele and U-Bass (Ukulele Bass) at the jam. Also pictured, George Klingelhofer and Janet Lenore

Steve Lussie rocked out on the U-bass (which makes a huge difference for our ukulele jam). He even got me a special Beatles Day “Peace” card and everyone signed it. I was so touched when I read the card. My friends from San Francisco Vickie and Becky came and of course all the usual suspects. John, June Margaret, her sister Nancy and Leonard who moved beyond Sacramento, so many familiar faces mixed with new ones. and Janet Lenore arrived and rocked out with us until the end.

Diane and me (Selfie by Diane Smith)

Both Diane and I were totally amazed and delighted… acoustics were excellent in our room and I looked back and saw even more people. James joined us with awesome percussion, my friend with the wonderful idea of playing the Abbey Road medley on ukulele a few months earlier, was amazing.

Janet Lenore joined us and George played some songs from his singles and Steve wowed us with some more Beatles songs… and we ended with the most awesome rendition of Twist and Shout La Bamba finale ever!! By now we were down to the last 20 or 30 diehards who didn’t want it to end… and yeah, we danced all right. LUV YOU ALL… YEAH YEAH YEAH!!!!

We ended with a rousing rendition of La Bamba and Twist and Shout! Check it out: (Video taken by John L. Chen):

 La Bamba and Twist and Shout Finale!

It was a wonderful, moving day that morphed into the evening and beyond, at least five hours. I could not ask for a better way to celebrate the Beatles’ 50th anniversary.

And what a night it was.

Sunday, February 9, 2014, at the Mud Puddle with Michael McNevin

 

(Photo Credits: me) The Mud Puddle located in Niles, California (district of Fremont).

The next day, on Sunday, February 9, the actual anniversary day of the Beatles’ arrival, some of us invaded Michael McNevin’s “Mud Puddle” in Niles for more music and fun — especially to sing and play Beatles songs on the definitive anniversary. Yep, the ukulele players did invade…but in the best way imaginable! and Michael himself got out a ukulele…I dragged along my neighbor Mitch who had never been to the Mud Puddle or to a jam even…he ended up with a guitar even though he hadn’t played in years. My friend Margaret showed up right on time on that rainy Niles afternoon where, as Michael McNevin likes to say, “we can get muddy!”

Photo Credit: Michael McNevin. A group of us at the Mud Puddle in Niles, Oregon which is run by Michael McNevin.

Then Steve arrived with his ukulele as well. I had reminded him that the Mud Puddle jam was starting at 2pm, and he replied with, “Which mud puddle? There are many of them today.” (It was a rainy day).

Margaret came into the circle and played along.

(Photo Credit: Me) It was funny because the regulars at the Mud Puddle wasn’t sure what to make of all us ukulele players. And I even brought song packets to share, something they never see.

Michael McNevin, who is a prolific songwriter, came up with his own lyrics to Imagine thanks to Janet Lenore who showed up with her ukulele and Jeff and his U-bass. (To the tune of “Imagine”):

Imagine ukuleles.
It’s easy if you try.
No 5th n 6th strings.
Above them only banjos.
Imagine all the people, with little tiny things.
Yuhooo, you may say I’m a strummer. But I’m not the only one.
Hope someday you’ll join them.
And plaaayy “Here comes the sun”.

Uke jam AND Beatles 50th-anniversary jam. … I am drinking the Kool-Aid.

By Michael McNevin

I loved his lyrics, and I was thrilled that we had a place to play and sing on the special anniversary day. I’d been feeling so emotional for several days about remembering the special day.

Another magical musical day occurred, and I hung out with Mitch, Steve, and Margaret for a while after the Mud Puddle jam — but in the end, I had to get home because the special anniversary show of the Beatles’ arrival was happening, and I needed to be there…just like I was 50 years ago watching the big screen black and white. It mattered.

February 9, 2014 (evening) The Beatles’ 50th Anniversary Show on TV

(Photo Credit: Me) Baby J (now he’s nine years old and known as Jeremiah). He was always such a Beatles fan. First song he learned was “She Loves You.”

My grandson, Baby Jeremiah, whom I referred to as “Baby J” back then –was not quite three years old. He waited with me for the “Beatles” show to begin, another hour baby boy, another hour…the newest generation of Beatles fans…yes, the Beatles transcend generations.

As I told my daughter Melissa tonight, the Beatles and their music has transcended four generations in our family.

I wasn’t sure what to expect but I knew that I had to watch this show because it was exactly 50 years after that original Ed Sullivan Show that I remembered. In fact, it was also a Sunday. When I watched it on the big screen black and white TV in our flat on 2nd Ave. in San Francisco with my Mom and family. I even got a little emotional when the show opened with an actual clip of Ed Sullivan announcing the Beatles. I wasn’t sure how I’d like the performances by the various artists, but for the most part, I loved them. We heard interpretations of the songs and saw Paul and Ringo out there (and family) grooving to the music which was super cool. I loved the performances of Hey Bulldog (David Grohl from foo Fighters and gang), Imagine Dragons’ rendition of Revolution was remarkable…

I LOVED seeing Joe Lind and Joe Walsh along with Dhani Harrison PLAY Something and Here Comes the Sun… oh and While My Guitar Gently Weeps, EPIC!!!! “Yesterday” by Katy Perry “worked” but not as well as I would’ve liked…and oh yeah, Stevie Wonder did an awesome “Stevie wonder” rendition of We Can Work It Out that I loved too. Of course, when Ringo came out and did Matchbox, Boys and Yellow Submarine, I was thinking, oh my gosh, he sounds exactly the same as he did in the original recordings back in the day.

Paul was in full form. I always look forward to is seeing them. The clips of the original show along with snippets of conversation with Dave Letterman and Paul and Ringo, and their autobiographies. One thing I did not realize was how excited John Lennon was to play on the same stage Buddy Holly had played on, HA! overall it was fabulous!!! coming to you from a lifelong BEATLES FAN!

I even played along with some of the songs on the ukulele.

It was truly an amazing “Beatles 50th Anniversary Weekend!” Almost 100 people showed up at our huge ukulele jam to play and sing or even just sing Beatles songs — How wonderful to sing Hey Jude with everyone on Saturday night at Bronco Billy’s and then again on Sunday afternoon at the Mud Puddle in Niles! And one more time.

The special tribute show exactly 50 years later on CBS was FABULOUS! I enjoyed all of it…and loved seeing all the musicians and artists play and sing their interpretations of the Beatles songs and everyone paid tribute to four boys from Liverpool who showed up in so many of our lives that special night on February 9, 1964.

The true tribute at the end with Paul and Ringo (Paul on his signature bass and Ringo on drums) singing and playing Hey Jude was beyond emotional and poignant…I closed my eyes and tried to imagine John and George being there and I know they felt the same way. Their spirits were definitely alive and well — and every time they showed a clip from that first show in black and white, I’d get all choked up because I still remember.

Baby J watched the entire show with me. He was mesmerized. He didn’t want to get up and run around. He wanted his ukulele for “Hey Jude” and we sang along with Paul and Ringo. Now we have four generations of Beatles fans in our family. 

Letter of Apology to My Cat

 

Guinness -- 2018 in Lincoln City, Oregon (Photo Credit: Mary Lane Cryns)

Dear Guinness,

I must apologize to you. I saw that look of terror on your face tonight, and I know you’re traumatized right now. After over 14 years together, I know you all too well. Yes, the loveseat has been moved into the other room, and yes I stored my clothes on that loveseat for the past 10 months, but it’s okay. We are not moving again. I know you assumed differently. Savoy simply moved the loveseat into the other room so that he can move a dresser in here for my clothes. Don’t worry! All is well.

Hanging out with me while I work. Please get off the mouse!

It’s my fault that you’re freaked out. I totally get it. You’ve been through so much. I remember when I brought you home from my good friend Floyd Salas’ reading of his book, “Love Bites – in Celebration of Dogs and Cats.” I was told you were the only one of six kittens who hadn’t adopted, and a lady plopped you on my lap. You were six months old then, and I knew you were mine. When I brought you home and let you out of the makeshift carrier, you practically bounced off the walls. Megan, who was only 13 then, and I watched you bounce back and forth and then beelined right for the Christmas tree. That was December 2006. You fit right in, and instantly became a member of our family.

Guinness and Sydney - 2018 in Lincoln City, OR

You didn’t mind when we brought Sydney Girl, the little white dog, to you back in 2008. In fact, you liked Sydney. She was the only dog you liked, and you would follow us whenever we walked her, just as if we were walking you too.

We moved countless times in the past 14 years. Every time we’d move, you’d hide and we had to make a special trip after we moved back to the old place where you’d always be waiting. Sometimes you were stubborn and didn’t want to go into the carrier as you stubbornly clung to the bit of world you had dubbed yours. I apologize for that. 

Guinness - 2015 at the yellow house (mobile home) in San Jose, CA

I know those changes were hard, and I forgive you for peeing on my bed that one time right after we moved into the house on the hill. Then we moved again to the mobile home. That’s where you got to know Baby J and you’d follow us when Baby J walked Sydney as well. You also tolerated Baby J because he was always good to you, even when he was little. You’d even sit with him on my bed when I let him play with my colorful ukulele.

2015 - at the Mobile Home in San Jose, CA

In 2016, I moved to Oregon and left you with Megan and roommates at the mobile home in California. I didn’t have a place for you when I moved up there, and I figured you’d be happiest if you got to stay in your same world. I had moved you so many times. I had no idea you’d be mad at me for moving away, and I am deeply sorry for that. I wanted to take you with me back to Oregon, but I still needed to set up a place for you, and that was when you got attacked and hurt badly. Just the week before that happened, I was hugging you and I wanted to take you so badly then. I had spent lots of time with you in California. I told you I’d come and get you in 10 days after I moved in. I think you understood.

I will never forget that trip I made to California to rescue you, not sure if you were even dead or alive at the emergency animal clinic. I was so relieved that you pulled through, though it took months for you to heal. I rescued you from the nice veterinarians who saved you and drove you to Oregon. Another move, yes I know. Then I made you stay inside for over a year so you could heal from all your injuries. You were so traumatized by what had happened to you, you would hide every time someone came over. 

Then I brought Sydney Girl up from California, and you were so happy to see her. You became sociable again, the two of you together once more. Then one day, I had to take Sydney away. You knew she was sick, and you may have known she had cancer. You found her that one night hiding in the closet. And we both weren’t the same when I didn’t bring Sydney back.

I know you freaked out when I moved from Lincoln City to Eugene even though I swore I'd never move again. You hid in the back of a cabinet and delayed the move by three hours. I get it though, and I understand. Once I finally coaxed you out and you saw that carrier, for once you didn't try to run away. You knew you were coming along.

But now you are here with me and Savoy, and we both love you very much. You get to hang out in the yard or inside, or outside, or inside. I promise you I’m not moving anywhere, not without you.

Love,
Your Mom